Cross Country 

What a brilliant day! The weather was absolutely perfect for the school’s annual Cross Country. It was magnificent to see the students participating and supporting their peers. This is what makes our community so unique. Congratulations to all our competitors. You all should be very proud of your efforts. If you were lucky enough to finish in the top 5 in the age group races, well done, and we wish you the best of luck when you represent the school at the upcoming Beecroft Zone PSSA Cross Country carnival. A note will come home shortly for those students.  

Thank you to Heather and her team of helpers yesterday running the canteen. No mean feat cooking over 400 sausages and selling items throughout the day. Thank you to all involved. 

A huge thanks to the parents who were able to attend yesterday. It was an amazing site to see so may parents able to come on site and share in the wonderful day. 

A massive thank you to Miss Steel for her wonderful organisation of the day. The day ran seamlessly, and all the credit goes to her and her team for making it such a great day for the students. 

Industrial Action 

Members of the NSW Teachers Federation at Pennant Hills Public School will be taking industrial action Wednesday 4 May 2022 in the form of a 24 hour strike.  The school will be providing minimal supervision of students on the day of the strike. We apologise for the disruption that this will cause. 

Supervision will begin at 8:45am, as usual. Normal teaching and learning programs will not be taking place. However, students who are onsite will be supervised by teachers and provided meaningful activities throughout the day. Supervision will end at 3:15pm, as usual.  

BASC will be operating on this day. If you are not intending on using their service, please ensure you mark your child absent in the My Family Lounge app. 

Mother’s Day 

This Sunday we celebrate a very special day on the calendar, Mother’s Day. We hope it is a special day for Mothers, Grandmothers, and significant role models. Today at school is the Mother’s Day stall where the students had the opportunity to purchase a gift for their mother. As I am writing this newsletter, I can hear the excitement in their voices as they discuss their options and think deeply about what they are going to purchase to make the day special. The students are very excited. Thank you to Mrs Alison Pride and her team for organising this wonderful opportunity for the students.  

Mother's Day Breakfast

On Friday we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with those that are able to attend school for the breakfast. A couple of years ago when we last held this day it was a memorable morning. Thank you to Mrs Donoghue and her team for arranging this celebration. Hopefully the weather is kind to us, and we see you there. 

Opportunity Class (OC) Applications – Year 5 2023 

Opportunity classes cater for intellectually gifted and high potential students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic and social level. Students successfully placed will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6. 

Testing and assessment 

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test alone. Students who wish to be considered for opportunity class placement will sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 28 July 2022. 

How to apply 

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2023, you need to apply between Tuesday 26 April 2022 and Friday 13 May 2022. You will need to access the online application at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5 . You must not use the child’s email address. Late applications are not usually accepted. 

If you do not have internet access, you can apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Team for assistance after Tuesday 26 April 2022 at ssu@det.nsw.edu.au or on 1300 880 367. 

You must submit only ONE application for each student. 

Uniforms 

From Monday 16 May all students will be expected to wear their winter uniform each day. Up until this time the students are able to wear either their summer or winter uniform. We suggest monitoring the weather conditions to ensure your child dresses appropriately each day. We thank you for your support. 

Disabled Toilet 

Throughout this term a disabled toilet will be constructed in the unused male toilet on the 3-6 site. This area is located under 3B’s classroom. This work will support current and future students, plus the wider community who may visit the 3-6 site. Once completed the toilet will house all necessary equipment to cater for any student needing to access this resource. As with any construction work that takes place, there will be a small inconvenience to the site. The final product however will outweigh the impact. I can assure you that no work will take place during the NAPLAN assessments for students in Years 3 and 5 from 10 May to 20 May. 

Staffing Update 

As mentioned at the end of last year Mrs Newman is leaving our school. Her last day will be Wednesday 11 May 2022. Mrs Newman is an outstanding teacher that will be sorely missed. We thank her for her contributions to our community and wish her the very best of luck as she embarks on her new adventure. The school is currently in the process of finding a suitable replacement to continue in her role for the remainder of the year. As soon as this process has been completed the school community will be informed. 

Mobile Phones, Smart Watches and Devices 

Students and parents are reminded that any student who brings a mobile phone to school must hand it in at the office every morning and collect it in the afternoon. The phones are stored securely throughout the day. There is no need for a student to require a phone during the day at school. If they have forgotten something or need to contact their parents, they are able to speak with their teacher or the office and they will decide the course of action. 

The same applies to Smart watches and devices. No student is allowed to use their Smart watch as a communication device throughout the day. This is NSW Department of Education Policy for Primary Schools. The policy protects all students whilst at school. Please ensure the phone call function is disabled on your child's device or watch (if your child wears that type of watch). I thank you for your support with this matter. 

Kind Regards

Matt Pinchbeck

Principal

Cross Country Carnival

What a fabulous day! The sun was shining, team spirit was high and our students ran their little hearts out! Well done Penno on such an amazing Cross Country carnival, it was so great to be altogether for a sporting event again. Thank you to the families who were able to make it on the day and for adhering to our guidelines and staying in the designated areas, it makes for a much less stressful day for the teachers when we are supported by our families in this way. Thank you to Heather and the canteen crew for coordinating such a large day, and it was all done so quickly!

A big thank you to Ms Steele, who once again, did a great job at coordinating the event! There were several staff assisting in the morning to setup and in the pack down afterwards, thank you Mrs McLaren, Mrs Reid, Mrs Griffith, Ms Dy, Mr Pinchbeck and Mr Bryant. A big shout out to the House Captains for leading war cries, cheering on members of their houses, helping with setup, holding the finishing ribbon and handing out place cards as well as running the Cross Country several times throughout the day to ensure our K-2 students knew where to go. Our House Captains were absolute stars yesterday!

Please see below for some whole group photos, some of the winners and some of the top 10. Well done everyone!

The below table highlights the students in each age group that will be attending Zone to represent PHPS. Well done!

12 Years Girls
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Kate H	Stella M	Lilly M	Samara R	Sophie W
12 Years Boys
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Christian P	Preston G	Lucas M	Hamish C	Andrei S
11 Years Girls
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Claire A	Sofia E	Indie M	Sophia J	Annabella K
11 Years Boys
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Robert H	Lenny F	Lucas P	Tom S	Ryan P
10 Years Girls
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Zanna P	Grace C	Angela C	Nafi D	Madeleine W
10 Years Boys
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Angus M	Kaiden T	Liam C	Adam C	Mathias H
8/9 Years Girls
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Zainab D	Willow H	Nellie M	Penelope K	Emma C
8/9 Years Boys
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Parker P	Lachlan H	Henry J	Stephen D	William P

       

In K-2, students still run the Cross Country track, although they do not attend the Zone Carnival.

Kindergarten Girls Winner – Grace D

Kindergarten Boys Winner – Flynn H

Year 1 Girls Winner – Madeleine B

Year 1 Boys Winner – Joel D

Year 2 Girls Winner – Esther P

Year 2 Boys Winner – Eric W

Congratulations!

                

Shrek the Musical

Students from Years 1-6 are so excited to go and see Shrek the Musical at Pennant Hills High School on Monday next week.

Please ensure the permission note is returned by Thursday.

Students will be taking recess with them to eat during the interval. Please ensure all recess boxes are labelled clearly with your child’s name and class.

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

NAPLAN 2022 – Year 3 and 5 

Any students who are absent, will make up the tests at a suitable time over the two weeks. 

All students need to bring

• Their own headphones for NAPLAN
• They may bring a mouse if they would like to use one

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

3B - Lucy K, Clara D, Sarina L, Hayden T, Esandu P, Millie V, Katherine W, Ewan T, Jade T

3D - Elena F, Yitien C, Isla B, Gwen E, Parmida S, April F, Olivia Y, Blake K

3H - Marcus T, Audrey W, Maddie P, Zane S, Moksha Y, Max C, Emily L, Emma K, Jayden W, Hayden Y, Jacinta I

4B - Lucas B, Ari K, Avy S, Alex Y, Audrey M, Adam C, Ethan C, Tanvi D, Gabi M

4D - Yuvraj L, Karina C, Abi W, Darcy W, Ginger M, Ezekiel M, Stephanie L

4F - Dakshita S, Lucas V, Josh F, Liam T, Yoninah F, Zanna P, Ethan S, Dakshita S

5B - Carlito P, Edward C, Indie M, Tyesha B, Priyani B, Logan S, Ryan P

5G - Mohamad A, Victoria N, Alex R, Dana C, Kobe J, Cassius H

5M - Arya M, Kelsey C, Gemma P, Abbie R, Zaal N, Kelsey C, Arya M, Gemma P, Ansh B, Nathan Y

6M - Lachlan O, Mathieu C, Althea F, Samuel K, Megan C, Hamish C, Anthony L

6R - Anaiah B, Tahlia C, Bryan L, Charlotte P, John Y, Ojas K, Sami M, Amelia M, Eddie P, Nikita W, Sofia E, Nikita W, Eddie P

6S - Chrissie C, Alie J, Katie Z, Jackson W, Archie B, Sebastian C

Computers 

Year 3: Jade T (3B), Yitian C (3D), Emily H (3H)

Year 4: Zachary C (4B), Chloe H (4B), Penelope Kevin (4D), Austin D (4F), Zanna P (4F)

Year 5: Logan S (5B), Daniel C (5B), Kiric C (5G), Arya M (5M)

Year 6: Lachlan O (6M), Kate C (6M), Clancy T (6R), Anie Anoop (6S), Katie Z (6S)

PHPS has entered the Premier’s Spelling Bee Competition for 2022. 

The Premier’s Spelling Bee is a fun and educational way for NSW public primary school students to engage in spelling. The program includes activities to encourage all students to improve their vocabulary and spelling and to promote literacy skills in combination with the English K-6 Syllabus.

The Premier's Spelling Bee finals will be held in the school hall in Week 7, Monday 6 June. Stage 2 and 3 classes will put forward their class finalists after the top 2 spellers are selected by their class teacher. A Junior Spelling Bee Student Finalist from Stage 1 or 2 and a Senior Spelling Bee Finalist from Stage 3 will then take part and compete in regional finals. Regional winners then compete in the state final. Covid rules pending, Parents and Carers are welcome to attend to watch.

If any students would like to better prepare and practice their spelling, they are welcome to access the 2022 junior and senior word lists via this link: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/nsw-premiers-spelling-bee

Remember to get the password from your class teacher.

GET SPELLING and Good Luck!

Ms Schmidt

Premier's Spelling Bee Coordinator

Recycling and Sustainability Projects 

At Pennant Hills Public School, we are committed to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint through many initiatives. This Term, we are excited to introduce two new sustainability projects we are involved with: recycling old mobile phones through Mobile Muster and collecting soft plastics through Wonder Recycling. 

          

Mobile Muster 

We will be collecting old mobile phones to recycle and turn into new products. Through recycling MobileMuster transforms the components from mobile phone waste into valuable materials for reuse. It means that fewer raw materials need to be extracted and processed to make new products. By recycling your mobile phone, you will be helping reduce the impact on the environment of tomorrow. Check out the link here for more info: https://vimeo.com/349554548  

      

Wonder Recycling Soft Plastics 

We will be collecting soft plastics and earning money for our school to put towards sporting equipment. Just think about the possibilities! Wonder have teamed up with over 1500 Aussie school to help reduce the impact of soft plastic waste. We will go in the draw to win an exercise circuit made from the recycled plastic waste we collect too! For more information, check out the link here: https://wonder.com.au/wonder-recycling-rewards  

Ms Dwyer

Classroom Teacher

President’s Message

Hi All

Well done to all of the kids who ran in the Cross Country yesterday and the PHPS Teachers for coordinating a smooth day. Special thanks to Heather and Catherine in the canteen for putting on a great lunch as well.

The P&C General Meeting is on tonight at 7.30pm, with the Green Team presenting a great initiative to install solar panels for PHPS. It’s also a great chance to hear from Mr Pinchbeck about what’s in store for Term 2. This meeting will be held via Teams, the details are below for your reference.

P&C General Meeting Dial in Details

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+61 2 8318 0009,,379483450#   Australia, Sydney

Phone Conference ID: 379 483 450#

Find a local number |

If you would like to subscribe to our P&C meeting emails (minutes and agendas), please subscribe at the following link: http://eepurl.com/dlK3PD

Have a great week.

Luke Whenman

P&C President

pandcpresident@gmail.com

Message from PHPS Green Team

Just a reminder about the great free service offered by the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre, 29 Sefton Road Thornleigh. It is a drive through centre where you can drop off household waste that is not suitable for the red and yellow bin collections. This includes TVs, computers and accessories, CDs and DVDs, paint, oils, clothes, cardboard, polystyrene, batteries of all sorts, light bulbs, printer cartridges, gas bottles, some soft plastics. The centre is open Tuesdays to Fridays and on Saturday mornings. Check their website for details.

Parents or carers who would like to be part of making our school more sustainable, please contact phpsgreenteam@gmail.com.

I would like to send out a huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped us run the sausage sizzle and stall at the cross country yesterday. Over 400 sausages were cooked and served on buns!!! It was a massive job and it all went smoothly, thanks to your help!! I also have to thank Baker Extrordinaire Henry from Alina’s Bakery for making 400 super soft hot dog buns for us!! He is amazing.

The canteen will NOT be operating tomorrow, Wednesday 4 May, due to the NSW Teachers’ Federation 24-hour Strike. We will be open again on Thursday.

Menu

• Sushi is staying on the menu for Wednesdays as well as Fridays.
• Pizza Muffins are now available Mondays and Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays.

Operations

We are open for over the counter sales for 3-6 at lunch time on Fridays. We would love to be able to open on other days as well. Please contact me if you are able to help any day between 1 and 2pm.

If you have any questions, or would like to be involved in the canteen, please contact me.

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

Winter Uniforms 

Welcome to Term 2 as we transition into wearing the winter uniform.   

All winter uniform items are now available for purchase and can be ordered through Flexischools: https://flexischools.com.au.    

Flexischools Orders 

Flexischools orders can be placed at any time of the day, any day of the week.  When placing your order please select the most appropriate day for your order to be given to your child.   

• Currently orders are being delivered twice a week (Monday and Wednesday) 
• Flexischools cut off times are 5pm on Sunday and Tuesday for next day processing. 
• All orders will be processed and delivered to the office where they are then distributed by your classroom teachers. 
• Where possible, orders will be delivered to the office on the order date.  Please allow 2-3 days for the teachers to distribute orders to your children.  Please contact me if orders have not been received by Friday. 
• We will contact you directly if there is any issue with your order.

Appointments 

The Uniform Shop will remain open by appointment only during Term 2.  Primarily appointments will be for exchange and return of purchased items.   

• Appointments can be booked on Eventbrite using the following link: https://phps-uniform-shop.eventbrite.com 
• Appointment times are in 15-minute increments and are open to 3 bookings per available timeslot.  As these are not individual appointments you may need to wait until the person before you has been served. 
• If the available times are not suitable please contact us via email at phpsuniformshop@gmail.com  to organise alternative arrangements. 

Preloved / Second Hand Items 

I am still in the process of working through the preloved/second hand items. Over the next few weeks I will be transitioning some of these items onto Flexischools to allow everyone access to purchase.  If there is anything in particular that you are after in the meantime, please feel free to contact me with what you are looking for. 

For all enquiries, feel free to contact me via email 

Janine Sherlock

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

We're pleased to be booking into some live performance events throughout the rest of the year. We are in the process of completing entries for these and more to come. So please put these dates in your diary and keep them free.

• Tuesday 31 May, 9 - 9:30am: Kindergarten Open Day - SCB, JB
• June 4 or 5: June Northern Beaches Festival - SCB, ICB & TB
• Wednesday 15 June: Performance Assembly - SCB, JB
• Saturday 25 June: PHHS Winter Carnival - SCB
• Wednesday 29 June: Post Music Camp Concert - All Bands
• Early August: Ryde Eisteddfod - JB
• Sunday 7 August: ASBOF, Live (Venue TBC) - SCB, ICB, & TB  

Keep your eye on the newsletter, WhatsApp and emails for more details.

         

MUSIC CAMP - LAST CHANCE. Sunday 19 - Tuesday 21 June

Get your last minute registrations in for Music Camp which is being held on June 19 - 21.  This is the highlight event for the musical students at school and really must not be missed. https://www.trybooking.com/BWXHI

If you have any questions about Music Camp please send them through to phpsmusiccamp@gmail.com

           

Term 2 Parent Helper Roster is Open

There are still lots of spots open on the Term 2 parent helper rosters. Please get these filled in as soon as possible.

• Training Band Parent Roster - Term 2
• Intermediate Concert Band Parent Roster - Term 2
• Senior Concert Band Parent Roster - Term 2

               

State Wind Band Applications

Applications for the NSW State Wind Band are now open. The band is chosen from applicants across the state and will perform 2 concerts at the opera house at the end of August. There are 2 intensive daytime rehearsals during the school week immediately prior to the concerts. It is an amazing event to be a part of!

Junior State Wind Band (years 5 to 8) is a minimum AMEB Grade 3 standard or equivalent.

More information here:
https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/state-wind-bands

Let us know if you have any questions.

             

Award Worksheets

Training and Intermediate bands should have completed their current Term 1 worksheets.

Once complete these are to be submitted through the Worksheet Submission Web Form.

We're still waiting on some of the ICB members, and new SCB members to submit last year's Term 4 worksheet. If this relates to your child please talk to their tutor and get it submitted as soon as possible via the link above.

If anyone needs a particular worksheet you can print them from the Band web pages here.

            

Vaccination and Mask requirements

Parent volunteers must still meet mandatory Department of Education double vaccination requirements. All parent helpers must email through their COVID-19 vaccination certificate to the school at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au with the Subject line “Attention Melissa Griffith” or "Attention Matt Pinchbeck".

Masks are not required.

            

Parent Helper Duties

A full list of parent helper duties is available here.

• When walking the students, especially Training Band, back to the 3-6 site try to have them line up in pairs on the path to the side
• Count them twice, check with Rose head count.
• Tell the students to walk nicely and stick together on the walk up
• You should stop at the driveway, Weemala corner, school crossing at the 1st driveway at the big site to be recounted.
• If possible, have a parent front and end and discourage wandering.
• Once all accounted for you are free and thank you for helping.

        

Parent Helpers

Big thank-you to this week's helpers

• Xudong & Mike S (TB)
• Chris L (ICB)
• Ivy W (SCB Monday) & Freya L & Chris L (SCB Thursday)

               

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

Main Ensemble

Rehearsals: K-2 Hall, Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm

FIRST REHEARSAL FOR ALL FOIM STUDENTS IS THIS AFTERNOON

Pick up time for FOIM students will be 5:10pm.

Students not doing FOIM should be picked up at the usual time of 4:30pm

Parent Helper today is Christine 

The String Ensemble can't run without help from the parents

THE TERM 2 ROSTER IS OPEN and we need volunteers urgently!!

Please sign up now on the following link:

https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/7axKWqze/vote

Could all parent helpers please email their proof of vaccination to the school- subject line: "Attn Mrs Griffith- strings vaccination."

Here is a LINK to the parent helper responsibilities

Intro to Strings program

Apologies for the delay in getting started this week. We will see you all next week from 8am in the K-2 hall for the instrument fittings.

Save the Date!!

Registration for Music Camp closes THIS FRIDAY!! Please sign up if you haven't already

http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/music-camp/

Music Camp will be held Sunday June 19th- Tues June 21st 

Kids love Music Camp and it provides a great opportunity for them to work in smaller groups and extend their learning. Years 3-6 students sleep over two nights  and younger students can attend as day students with parents to drop off and pick up each day. Only Main Ensemble students will be eligible to attend. There will be more information about it next term. 

If you need any further information, you can reach out via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com

If you need any further information, you can reach out via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com

PHPS String Ensemble

Website: www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble

Feedback: www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us

DISCLAIMER

Advertisements placed in the School’s Newsletter do not reflect an endorsement or otherwise by Pennant Hills Public School of the product or service.

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